Device for facilitating the positional stability of an individual disposed therein

ABSTRACT

A therapeutic pillow configured to be releasably secured to a portion of a mattress elevated on an angle. The therapeutic pillow is operable to receive an individual therein and substantially inhibit the lateral and longitudinal movement of the individual. The therapeutic pillow includes a body that is generally U-shaped to form a compartment. The compartment is of sufficient size to receive a person therein. The therapeutic pillow further includes a plurality of support straps and support ties to releasably secure the therapeutic pillow to the bed mattress. The support straps and support ties further include attachment mechanism to facilitate the adjustment thereof.

PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. 119(e) & 37 C.F.R. 1.78

This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior United States provisional patent application entitled: Nest, Application No. 60/742,340, filed Dec. 5, 2005, in the name of Deniece L. Fellows, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a medical device, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a therapeutic pillow that is releasably secured to a mattress, with the device being configured to receive a patient therein in order to assist the patient in maintaining a desired position superposed on a mattress while the mattress has a portion that is positioned in an incline.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare is one of largest industries in the United States. The care of individuals suffering from a variety of maladies consumes billions of dollars each year and requires special facilities and equipment. Hospitals commonly have in the in-patient rooms a bed that has a portion that elevates at an incline in relation to the other portion of the bed so that a patient who is too weak to sit up on their own can be moved to an elevated position for feeding and other necessary tasks such as but not limited to breathing treatments.

One problem that occurs when patients are elevated at an incline is that they routinely will slide down the inclined portion of the bed. This causes problems during times when medication and feeding is being administered over a period of time through devices such as feeding tubes and intravenous lines. Additionally, patients that are in very weak condition have trouble maintaining their lateral position on the mattress and will routinely slump to either side of the mattress and cause problems with devices such as but not limited to feeding tubes and intravenous lines.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can assist in maintaining a desired position of a patient in a conventional hospital bed with a portion of the bed set at an incline.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a device that releasably secures to a conventional hospital bed that substantially inhibits a patient disposed therein from moving when the hospital bed has a portion set at an incline.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that releasably secures to the elevated portion of a conventional hospital bed with the use of adjustable straps.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that releasably secures to the elevated portion of a conventional hospital bed that assists in maintaining a desired position of the patient during feeding and administering medications using apparatus such as feeding tubes and intravenous lines that is resistant to moisture.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device that assists in maintaining the position of a patient on a hospital bed that is comfortable for the patient to utilize.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of an embodiment of an attachment mechanism of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein like elements are identified with like reference numerals and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a therapeutic pillow 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

The therapeutic pillow 100 comprises a body 10. The body 10 is manufactured from a suitable durable and supple material such as but not limited to foam rubber. The body 10 consists of two side portions 15, 17 that are approximately parallel with each other and generally rectangular in shape. While the drawings submitted herewith illustrate the side portions 15, 17 as being generally rectangular in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the side portions 15, 17 could be manufactured in a plurality of shapes.

An end portion 20 is intermediate the side portions 15, 17 proximate the ends 25, 26 of the side portions 15, 17. The end portion 20 functions to configure the body 10 to resemble a square U-shape. The end portion 20 is secured intermediate the side portions 15, 17 by suitable chemical or mechanical methods. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 could be formed as one-piece assembly. More specifically but not by way of limitation the body 10 could be manufactured from one piece of suitable material such as but not limited to foam rubber.

The square U-shape of the body 10 functions to support a patient disposed therein and substantially inhibits movement of the patient in a lateral or longitudinal direction. Although the body 10 is illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith as being generally square U-shaped, it is contemplated that the body 10 could be formed in numerous different shapes and still achieve the desired functionality as described herein. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the body 10 could be manufactured in a semi-circular shape.

Although no particular size of the body 10 is required, good results have been achieved with a body 10 that is approximately twenty-six inches in length and twenty inches in width. Additionally, it has been shown that the side portions 15, 17 being configured to be approximately five inches in thickness proximate the ends 80, 81 and gradually increasing to a thickness of approximately seven inches in thickness proximate the end portion 20 assists in achieving the desired result of the therapeutic pillow 100.

The square U-shape of the body 10 forms a compartment 30 that is of sufficient size to receive a patient therein. The compartment 30 of the body 10 functions to receive a patient therein whereby the end portion 20 of the body 10 substantially inhibits the patient disposed therein from sliding in a longitudinal direction when the therapeutic pillow 100 is releasably secured to a portion of a conventional hospital bed that has a portion that is set at an angle greater than the other portion. Additionally, the side portions 15, 17 of the therapeutic pillow 100 substantially inhibit any lateral movement of the patient disposed therein.

The body 10 has a covering 35 that is substantially disposed thereon. The covering 35 is manufactured from a suitable durable material that is non-porous in order to inhibit any liquid from propagating into the body 10. The covering 35 is manufactured from suitable materials such as but not limited to plastic. The covering 35 has disposed thereon proximate to the end portion 20 of the body 10 a zipper 50. The zipper 50 functions to allow a user to access the material of the body to remove and/or replace as needed. Although it is not illustrated in the drawing submitted herewith, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the cover 35 has an additional layer superposed thereon that increases the comfort of the therapeutic pillow 100. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the additional layer could be manufactured from cotton.

Secured proximate the peripheral edge 55 of the side portions 15, 17 are support straps 60. The support straps 60 are attached intermediate the side portions 15, 17 and function to releasably secure the therapeutic pillow 100 to a conventional hospital bed mattress. The support straps 60 are secured proximate the peripheral edge 55 of the side portions 15, 17 by suitable mechanical or chemical methods. The support straps 60 have disposed thereon an adjustable attachment mechanism 70 that allows the user to adjust the length of the support straps 60 in order to apply the necessary tension so as to releasably secure the therapeutic pillow 100 to a mattress. As shown in particular in FIG. 2, the attachment mechanisms 70 are manufactured as a two-piece device having one portion 72 configured to receive therein the other portion 74. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different types of attachment mechanisms 70 could be utilized in order to achieve the desired functionality as described herein. Although in the drawings submitted herewith the side portions 15, 17 of the body 10 are illustrated as having two support straps 60 disposed there between, it is contemplated within the scope of the invention that any number of support straps could be utilized to assist in maintaining the orientation of the therapeutic pillow 100.

Secured to each end 80, 81 of the side portions 15, 17 distal to the end portion 20 are longitudinal support ties 90. The longitudinal support ties 90 are secured to the ends 80, 81 of the side portions 15, 17 by suitable durable mechanical or chemical methods. The longitudinal support ties 90 are manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to nylon. Integrated onto one end 91 of the longitudinal support ties 90 is a loop 95. The loop 95 encircles the support strap 60 in order to provide a method to secure the end 91 to the support strap 60. An attachment mechanism 70 is further integrated into the longitudinal support ties in order to facilitate the adjustment of the tension thereof when securing the therapeutic pillow 100 to a bed mattress.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous acceptable methods of securing the end 91 of the longitudinal support ties 90 to the support straps 60. It is desired that the end 91 of the longitudinal support strap 90 is secured to the support strap 60 as this functions to secure the therapeutic pillow 100 to a portion of a hospital bed mattress that has been set at an angle greater than that of the other portion of the hospital mattress so as to substantially inhibit the therapeutic pillow 100 from moving in a longitudinal direction subsequent to a patient being disposed within the compartment 30. While in the drawings submitted herewith the therapeutic pillow 100 is shown as having two longitudinal support ties 90 it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that any number of longitudinal support ties 90 could be utilized to achieve the desired functionality as described herein.

Although the therapeutic pillow 100 is described herein as being suitable for securing to a conventional hospital bed mattress, it should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the therapeutic pillow 100 could be secured to any suitable surface configured to receive a patient thereon and it is desired to substantially inhibit the lateral or longitudinal movement of the patient.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1, a description of the operation of the therapeutic pillow 100 is as follows. In use, the therapeutic pillow 100 is superposed on a portion of a conventional hospital bed mattress that can be elevated at an angle that is greater than that of the other portion of the mattress with end portion 20 positioned distal the edge of the mattress. The support straps 60 are extended around the two lateral sides of the mattress and are placed beneath the mattress whereby the support straps 60 are secured utilizing the attachment mechanism 70. Subsequent to adjusting the tension for the support straps 60, the user will then adjust the tension for the longitudinal support ties 90 so as to substantially inhibit the therapeutic pillow 100 from moving in a longitudinal direction.

Following the securing of the therapeutic pillow 100 to the hospital bed mattress, the patient is placed on their back within the compartment 30 with their legs extending over end portion 20 and their buttocks engaging end portion 20. The side portions 15, 17 of the body 10 substantially inhibit the patient's lateral movement while disposed within the compartment 30. Additionally, the end portion 20 of the body 10 functions to substantially inhibit the longitudinal movement of the patient while disposed within the compartment of the body 10. The hospital bed mattress portion having the therapeutic pillow 100 secured thereto and the patient disposed therein can now be elevated to an angle that is greater than that of the other portion of the hospital bed mattress to assist the caretaker in administering care of the patient.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A device for maintaining the orientation of an individual on an elevated bed, comprising: a body, said body being generally U-shaped and forming a compartment therein, said body operable to receive the individual within said compartment; and a securing mechanism for releasably securing said body to the bed.
 2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said body is generally a squared U-shape.
 3. The device as recited in claim 2, wherein said securing mechanism includes a first releasable strap operable to inhibit longitudinal movement of said body on the bed.
 4. The device as recited in claim 3, wherein said securing mechanism includes a second releasable strap operable to inhibit lateral movement of said body on the bed.
 5. The device as recited in claim 4, wherein said securing mechanism includes a third releasable strap operable to further inhibit longitudinal movement of said body on the bed.
 6. The device as recited in claim 5, wherein said securing mechanism includes a fourth releasable strap operable to further inhibit lateral movement of said body on the bed.
 7. A therapeutic device for placement on an elevated portion of a mattress for assisting in the maintenance of the orientation of an individual laying on the mattress, said therapeutic device comprising: a body, said body having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being generally parallel, said first portion and said second portion each having a first end and a second end; and said body further including an third portion, said third portion being intermediate said first portion and said second portion proximate said second end of said first portion and said second end of said second portion, said first portion, said second portion and said third portion forming a compartment therein, said compartment being of sufficient size to receive an individual therein.
 8. The therapeutic device as recited in claim 7, wherein said first portion and said second portion are operable to substantially inhibit the lateral movement of an individual disposed within said compartment.
 9. The therapeutic device as recited in claim 8, wherein said third portion is operable to substantially inhibit the longitudinal movement of an individual disposed within said compartment.
 10. The therapeutic device as recited in claim 9, and further including a securing mechanism for releasably securing said body to the bed.
 11. The therapeutic device as recited in claim 10, wherein said securing mechanism includes a first releasable strap operable to inhibit longitudinal movement of said body on the bed
 12. The therapeutic device as recited in claim 10, wherein said securing mechanism includes a plurality of releasable straps with at least a first of said plurality of releasable straps operable to inhibit lateral movement of said body on the bed and at least a second of said plurality of releasable straps operable to inhibit longitudinal movement of said body on the bed.
 13. The therapeutic device as recited in claim 12, wherein said body further includes a covering, said covering being generally liquid repellant.
 14. The therapeutic device as recited in claim 13, wherein said body is approximately twenty-six inches in length and twenty inches in width.
 15. A pillow designed to be releasably secured to an elevated portion of a mattress, the pillow comprising: a body, said body having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, said third portion having a first end and a second end, said first portion extending from said first end of said third portion, said second portion extending from said second end of said third portion, such that said first portion, said second portion and said third portion are configured in a generally U-shape and forming a compartment; and a securing mechanism for releasably securing said body to the mattress.
 16. The pillow as recited in claim 15, wherein said first portion and said second portion are operable to substantially inhibit the lateral movement of an individual disposed within said compartment.
 17. The pillow as recited in claim 16, wherein said third portion is operable to substantially inhibit the longitudinal movement of an individual disposed within said compartment.
 18. The pillow as recited in claim 17, wherein said securing mechanism includes a plurality of releasable straps with at least a first of said plurality of releasable straps operable to inhibit lateral movement of said body on the mattress and at least a second of said plurality of releasable straps operable to inhibit longitudinal movement of said body on the mattress.
 19. The pillow as recited in claim 18, wherein said body further includes a covering, said covering being generally liquid repellant.
 20. The pillow as recited in claim 19, wherein said body is approximately twenty-six inches in length and twenty inches in width. 